‘It’s odd’… Rory McIlroy’s former manager says LIV move may be possible after what he’s recently done

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The former manager of Rory McIlroy has admitted that it is a possibility that the Northern Irishman could make the move to LIV Golf after his recent comments about the breakaway tour.

There was a time where you could almost put your house on Rory McIlroy never defecting to LIV – largely because he had seemingly made it clear that he had nothing but contempt for the Saudi-backed tour.

However, LIV has continued to get stronger and stronger. Whatever happens from here, you do get the feeling that the signing of Jon Rahm will be looked back upon as a pivotal moment in the sport’s civil war.

Rory McIlroy has softened his stance on LIV Golf

McIlroy swiftly confirmed that he still wants to see Rahm on Europe’s Ryder Cup team in 2025. And he followed that by admitting that he had probably been too harsh in his criticism of LIV and the players who jumped ship.

For some, that may be a sign that McIlroy is leaving the door open for a future move to LIV. Ultimately, we have learned, as golf fans, to never say never over the last couple of years.

Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler was involved in managing the four-time major champion in the early stages of his career up until 2011. And he has now told Bunkered, there is an outside chance that McIlroy is indeed keeping his options open.

“If you were being cynical, you might say he’s going to sign for about £750million in a month’s time with LIV because he’s paving the way that LIV’s okay now, whereas it wasn’t,” he said.

“Who knows? He doesn’t need £750 million but it’s odd what he’s done and I’m sure it’s a possibility. If he does it or not, I don’t know, but if Rahm can do it, most guys can do it. 

“I think number one, there’s a 10% possibility he’s favouring his way to sign for LIV, but he realises that the whole bickering and fighting is no good for golf. The man in the street must find it appalling the sums of money being spoken.”

Sport’s future remains so unclear

Ultimately, a lot of players have been made to look slightly foolish by previous comments they have made about LIV. And it would be little surprise if McIlroy was aware that what he has previously said could come back to haunt him if there is an agreement reached between the main tours.

It would be a massive shock if McIlroy was preparing to make the jump anytime soon. But there are probably a lot of players around the world not planning to look too far in the future given how much has changed in the last few years.